The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-23

Views of Goodwin Smith on the Possibilities
Suggested by the Butterworth Bill.

NEW YORK. April 22.-The attitude of Great
Britain in regard to the question Of a possible
commercial union between the United States
and Canada, as foreshadowed in the Butter
worth bill introduced in the last session of Con-
Gress, would have very great influence in the
matter In order to elicit the views of one SO
we'll informed on the subject as Professor Gold
win Smith, letter was addressed to him by
Erastus Wyman, president of the Canadian
club, asking his opinion as to the possible con-
sent of Grea. Britain should the Canadian Par
lament favor a measure of similar import. the
result OF which would be commercial union
between the two countries The views of the
Oxford Professor, as given in reply to this let
ter, are as follows:
The question is naturally asked. as you say,
whether the consent OF Great Britain could be
obtained to a measure of complete RECIPROCITY
which would involve assimilation OF tariffs
between Canada and the United States. Ger
tainly the Canadians, as loyal colonists who
have every reason to feel grateful and attached
to their mother country, would not act in de-
fance of her wishes. For my own part being
British to the core. I would never vote for any
thing which thought in the least degree at
variance with the interest or honor of Great
Britain. But Canada has already been taken
formally we'll practically out of the COM
mercial unity of the empire by Sir John Mac
donald, who has declared that he is for fiscal
home rule to the hilr. Fiscal independence was
formally conceded to the colonies
time ago, when the imperial govern
ment determined not to interfere with
the adoption by an Australian colony
of a protective tariff Canada already levies
duties avowedly protective on British goods. and
her adoption Of the American scale would make
no great difference, as it appears to me. either
practically or in point of principle. 1t is not a
matter hard to imagine that the commercial
classes of England, who took the change in the
Canadian tariff coolly enough, would feel very
strongly. or call loudly on their government to
interfere That the one great interest of Eng
land on this side of the Atlantic is the friendship
of the Engish-speaking communities of this
continent has long been my firm belief, and.
though /. of course. speak with no authority, /
feel sanguine expec tation that this argument,
pressed by those whose attachment to Great
Britain cannot be questioned. will prevail with
British statesmen, and that the consent Of the
imperial government to free trade between Can
ada and the United States will be obtained.
continent is really the best support which she
ever lend to England, either on commercial ques.
tons or on questions of any other kind.
Nations, it is true, have tenn pers well as
interests, and if American legislatures and jour
mails persist in trying the temper Of the British
nation as they are doing at present mischief not
only to the prospects of closer commercial rela-
| tons, but to friendly relations generally. may
| ensue But it is difficult to why Anglo
Saxons should be bent sacrificing their natur-
| al commercial interests and those of our common
civilization to the prosecution of the Celtic feud
| or why American legislators and journalists
should deem it their duty to protest against the
repression of disorder in Ireland by the British
government. when they regard stronger m easures
taken by other European governments for the
same purpose, such as those which Germany is
now taking in Alsace- Lorraine. with perfect un.
concern"